Headliners

FSU vs. Wake Forest - The game

September 27, 1992|By Alan Schmadtke of The Sentinel Staff

Before Saturday night's game with Wake Forest, backup QB Danny Kanell could tell you exactly how many snaps he had taken this season. ''Eight handoffs,'' he said. Against Wake Forest, Kanell, one of four freshmen who won't redshirt this year, took the reins of FSU's offense with 19 seconds left in the third period and piloted the rest of the way. ''He needs experience,'' FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. That much was clear. Kanell was 1-of-6 passing for 16 yards, and he was sacked twice.

As for looking past Wake Forest at next weekend's anticipated match with No. 1 Miami, the Seminoles are 15-1 in games played before the Miami game. They have an average winning score of 38-15 in those games. That doesn't count 1988, when FSU opened with Miami. The lone loss came to Memphis State in 1976, Bowden's first year. ''I think what kept us from looking past this game was that it was a conference game,'' linebacker Reggie Freeman said. ''We can never take any of those lightly.''

Although the Seminoles have lived through anxious moments in the first part of their initial season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their scores don't prove it. They lead the ACC with a 4-0 record and they have an average winning score of 35-14.

Believe it or not: LB Marvin Jones' unofficial tackle total Saturday night was two, both solo shots. If it stands up when official totals are released later this week, it would be his worst statistical game in three seasons.

None of FSU's receivers had eight receptions in any game last year. Freshman Tamarick Vanover caught eight passes Saturday.

FSU's defense continued its mastery of third down. Coming in, it led the ACC in third-down defense - opponents converting only nine of 45 times - and it helped matters against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons converted only once in 15 tries. Opponents' success rate vs. FSU this season is 16.7 percent (10 of 60).

Until Saturday, FSU's running backs hadn't lost a fumble in a year, not since FSU's fourth game of the year last year against Michigan. Against Wake Forest, they lost three.

Injury update: OT Robert Stevenson hurt the first two knuckles of his left hand in the first half and did not play in the second half. He will be X-rayed today for possible fractures. OG Lewis Tyre dislocated a finger on his left hand at the beginning of the third quarter, but he did return. OT Marvin Ferrell dressed but did not play. C Robbie Baker (knee) did not dress for Saturday night's game. His status for Miami is day-to-day.

Because of OT Juan Laureano's start (in place of Ferrell), offensive line coach Brad Scott fielded what is believed to be the youngest starting offensive line in Bowden's 17 seasons at FSU. Also starting with Laureano, a redshirt freshmen: Tyre and C Clay Shiver, redshirt freshmen; sophomore OG Patrick McNeil; and Stevenson.

FSU officials used Parents Weekend to honor the parents of a belated player. Leif and Rebecca Erikson, the stepfather and mother of former FSU tight end Michael Hendricks, were introduced before the game, and a moment of silence was held in his memory. Hendricks accidentally electrocuted himself Sept. 11 near his hometown of Baytown, Texas.

Minutiae: Vanover's kickoff return for a touchdown was FSU's first since 1986. That year Keith Ross lateraled to Dexter Carter, who ran 100 yards for a score against Miami. . . . TB Sean Jackson's 88-yard touchdown run in the third period was the third-longest in FSU history. Larry Key's 97-yard dash vs. Virginia Tech in 1976 is the longest, followed by a 95-yard by Sammie Smith against Furman in 1987. . . . FSU's victory was its 20th in a row against a non-Florida opponent. The streak dates to a 1990 loss at Auburn. . . . FSU's band serenaded fans with a spirited, if shaky, rendition of ''Rocky Top,'' no doubt in honor of Tennessee's victory over Florida last weekend. Fans were more than happy to clap. . . . FSU leads its all-time series with Wake Forest 8-2-1. . . . Also honored before the game were members of FSU's 1953-55 football teams.